A really magical evening out on the river Thames, stand-up paddle boarding with Active360 (Richmond) collecting plastic waste and also fund raising money for Port of London Harbour Master Mark Towens.

A group of us gliding downstream at low tide, stopping to collect flotsam and jetsam and litter as we went, then coming ashore next to Kew Gardens and again near The London Apprentice in Isleworth for mud-larking sessions on the foreshore, looking for rubbish rather than treasure. A huge haul, included plastic bags, inner tubes, drink bottles, clothing, traffic cones, garden chairs and Cigarette lighters was carried back on the front of our SUPs.

The remains of a fibreglass skiff were too big and heavy to transport back but we did manage to haul it out of the river and up high onto the foreshore

As the light faded, other river traffic disappeared and it was pretty much just us and the river birds.

After a beautiful sunset behind Isleworth church turned the river blood red, we headed back to Richmond with our not so precious cargoes , enjoying the warm, velvety evening.

Back at Richmond Wharf, crowds of young people were gathered on the Terrace enjoying the evening and it felt and sounded more like a Mediterranean resort rather than an English riverbank.

With thanks to Jane (GG Kingston) for offering me a last minute place on this memorable evening.